Asia's largest and heavenly alpine meadows above 10,000 feet | Ali Bedni Bugyal

You may have encountered meadows (bugyals) on your hiking trail, but did you know that India has the most beautiful, picturesque, biggest alpine meadows? The Bugyal (Auli bugyal, Bedni bugyal) in Uttarakhand, India, is Asia's biggest high-altitude meadow. If you walk via Didina village on your Roopkund or Bedni Bugyal hike, you will be able to glimpse beautiful high-altitude meadows. Check out my earlier postings about the Roopkund trek via Didina village to learn more about it. The Auli, Bedni, Dayara, Tungnath, and Gorson bugyals are among the prominent alpine meadows. The majority of these bugyals are above 10,000 feet tall.

Auli Bugyal Meadows, Uttarakhand, India

Where is Bedni Bugyal located?

Ali Bedni Bugyal's magnificent swirling meadows are among Uttarakhand's most picturesque alpine meadows. It's in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, on the boundary of Garhwal and Kumaon. There is no direct access to this location. This walk takes two days and maybe started from either Lohajung or Wan. To go to Roopkund this is the common point whether you start from Wan or Lohajung via Didina village.

The fascinating hikes lead you through beautiful valleys, quiet hamlets, and coniferous and oak woods. One of India's most beautiful meadows is Bedni Bugyal. The Trishul peak is visible from Bedni Bugyal, and one cannot not but capture the gorgeous snow-covered peak with their camera. Bedni Bugyal provides several options for wildlife and nature photographers to capture nature at its finest.

Why are these bugyals significant?

The treacherous walk to Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal winds through velvety grasslands and heavy coniferous woodland clinging to the steep slopes and peaks. The villagers revere Bedni Kund in Bedni Bugyal for its sacred significance. Even an old temple and a few religious artifacts may be seen in the centre of Bedni Kund (pond).

Auli bugyal is considered the most beautiful meadows in Uttarakhand, India by National Geographic and Bedni bugyal is the most beautiful campsite on the entire trail. This place is like paradise for trekkers and looks more like a golf course.

The landscape is just too good and cannot be described in words, you need to be there to get a feel of it. Also, this is the last place where you get something to buy. There is a small hut serving local buns, maggie, egg, biscuits, hot tea, snacks, etc. Try this food if you are sick of the food provided by the trekking group. Most of us just entered this place while coming back from Roopkund.

From Auli bugyal, you get to see the snow-covered Himalayan mountain range. The view is just too good. You get to see government-built bunkers soon after you leave Auli bugyal and enter the Bedni bugyal. You can camp there or at Bedni Bugyal. There is an old man-made structure, old temples, and a huge pond. Sunset is spectacular and the sunrise is, even more, making the snow-covered mountains change their color to bright orange and Mt. Trishul's plume high above is the god of all mountains in this region.

Camping in Ali Bedni Bugyal

On the hike to Roopkund, Ali Bedni Bugyal, one of the largest and most beautiful meadows, is met. Camping on meadows is not permitted at a height of more than 3,000 metres, thus locating a guest home or lodge is impossible. Previously, trekkers would camp on the meadow, but today they must camp in the forest or in adjacent communities such as Didina or Pattar Nachauni. It is recommended that you pack or hire a tent before beginning your walk.

Exploring around the lake

We continued to explore the place around the campsite. We climbed the ridge which was to the right of our camp. It was approx one hour climb and was steep, but was worth the climb. We could see the top view of Tarsar lake and also, the other side of the pass. This was the highest point in the entire trek.

Don't forget to capture the panoramic shot from this place. Spend some time on top and enjoy the view. If you continue further, it will take you to Sundarsar lake. You can also see the trail from Tarsar to the pass on the other side of the lake. From that point, you can see Marsar lake far away which is another half-day trek from that place.

View from the ridge next to Tarsar lake. The lake is almost 2 km long.

In the evening we spent time going around the campsite and the lake. You are not allowed to take bath or clean your cloth or vessels at Tarsar. You may use the water that goes out as a stream for cooking. We hardly spent time inside the tent and at night it is an ideal place to do some astrophotography. I managed to get some timelapse of the galaxy and a few galaxy shots. If you have plans to do timelapse then don't forget to carry some additional batteries.

An award-winning shot of mine at Tarsar lake

The next day morning was a perfect one. The sunrise behind the Kolahoi peak, the shadow of the nearby mountain, the sun rays, the clear sky, etc made it the perfect day to start our hike back from Tarsar to Jadsar. Follow my blog to know more about what we did on day 6. Check out the video below.

Where is Tarsar Lake and how to reach Tarsar Lake?

Tarsar Lake is located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the western Himalayas. It is situated in the Aru Valley of the Anantnag district. Tarsar Lake is at an altitude of 2,400m/7,950ft.

• Pick-up location - Tourist Reception Center, Get into a bus or shared taxi.
• Drive:- 4 hrs, Srinagar to Aru via Apple valley.
• Srinagar to Pahalgam 100 km to Aru 12 km.
• Aru is on the bank of the Lidder River.

If you have not gone through my previous four days of the Tarsar trek, then check the following links:

Tarsar Trek – Day 1 – Srinagar to Aru drive
Tarsar Trek – Day 2 – Aru to Lidderwat
Tarsar Trek – Day 3 – Lidderwat to Shekwas
Tarsar Trek - Day 4 - Shekwas to Tarsar

Tarsar lake camp is ideal for galaxy photoshoots as there is hardly any light pollution and is away from the city. Hope you liked this incredible hike to Tarasar Lake, if you have liked this post then consider subscribing to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram - @ravindrajoisa.

Roopkund Trek - 7 days hike to the Himalayan Mystery Lake

Roopkund trek is one trail that's unique, where you will gain altitude from 7750 feet to 15750 feet in hardly 4 days with few steep climbs. This is a trek where the trail goes through the forest (Didina village and Ghairoli Patal), river crossing (Neel Ganga), Asia's largest high altitude meadows (Ali Bughyal), beautiful campsite (Bedni Bugyal and Pathar Nachauni), steep climbs, holy place (Bedni Bugyal, Kalu Vinayak and beyond Roopkund), camping on snow (Bhagwabhasa campsite), a pond full of skeletons (Roopkund), the Junargali Pass and the Mt. Trishul.

This Roopkund trek trail has a lot to offer in only a week. This hike is a must-do if you want to trek in India, and you can proudly add it to your To-Do list. I am updating this blog entry to inform you that trekking to this magnificent location is now prohibited, and you may need to obtain special permission for research purposes or if you are a resident of this area, since camping overnight in the meadows is prohibited in Uttarakhand following a high court judgment.

Short Itenary of the Roopkund Trek

Day 1 – A fearful Jeep drive from Kathgodam

Day 2 – Lohajung to Didina village

Day 3 – Didina to Bedni Bugyal

Day 4 – Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni

Day 5 – Pathar Nachauni to Bhagwabhasa via Kalu Vinayak temple

Day 6 – Bhagwabhasa to Roopkund and back to Pathar Nachauni

Day 7 – Pathar Nachauni to Ghairoli Patal

Day 8 - Ghairoli Patal to Wan

Roopkund Trek Information

Region: Uttarakhand
Duration: 8 Days
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Max Altitude: 15,696 Ft.
Trekking Km: 53 Km.
Trail Type: Round trail. The trek starts at Lohajung and ends at Wan.
Railhead: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to the base camp. Take Raniketh Express - Overnight sleeper train from Old Delhi to Kathgodam.
Road: Kathgodam is well connected to Lohajung. Take a shared taxi to Lohajung, a 10-hour drive to Lohajung from the railway station.
Base Camp: Lohajung or Wan
Best Season: May, June, Mid August to October
Snow: Mid December to Mid June (avoid snow, cannot trek after Bedni Bugyal during winter).
Stay Guesthouse at Lohajung, Tea house at Didina village, and camping on all other days.

Is the Roopkund trek difficult?

Depending on the weather, each trekker can expect to spend 5 to 6 hours on the trail. Nonetheless, for a novice with a basic fit body, this walk is safe and possible. Every Roopkund journey takes roughly 7 to 8 days. Regarding Roopkund trek difficulty level - It becomes difficult, and in some rare circumstances, causes altitude sickness and death, as a result of insufficient practice. Take the pre-exercise seriously, and you'll be fine.

Roopkund trek in Seasons

Summer Treks (April, May, June)

• Less cold and windier
• Weather is unpredictable
• Can't see a human skeleton
• Roopkund is in frozen condition
• Higher camps covered with snow
• Cannot hike further to Junargali Pass
• Natural sources of drinking water are easily available
• Best for those who want to see snow and want to do a difficult level of trek

Autumn Treks (September, October, November)

• Less windy and colder
• Mostly clear weather
• Can see human skeletons
• No snow at any campsite
• Roopkund lake is properly visible
• Can hike further to Junargali pass, view of Mt Trishul in full, Shila Samudra and Homkund
• Natural sources of drinking water are limited
• Best for those who want to see greenery and want to do the moderate level trek

Why is Roopkund famous?

Roopkund, which has a depth of roughly 3 meters, is well-known for the hundreds of ancient human remains discovered along the lake's edge. When the snow melts, the human skeletal remains are exposed at the bottom. Climbing uphill from Roopkund allows you to observe the iconic Mt Trishul from the base to the summit, a glacier in front, and the advanced basecamp to Homkund which is the basecamp for Mt Nanda Ghunti, which is another three days of hiking.

Every 12 years, a Hindu pilgrimage known as the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra takes place, an ancient custom that is being practiced today. Roopkund is en route to Homkund, the end goal of this exhausting foot trek.

Is Roopkund Trek banned?

The popular journey, which has seen many trekkers walk on its track after being a consistent favorite for many years, has now been outlawed owing to the damage we have made to the biodiversity of the alpine meadows that fall on the trail. You may still be permitted with special government approval. You may still trek to the meadow-like Li and Bedni Bugyal, but camping is not permitted. Roopkund is not prohibited, but because this is a week-long walk, it is nearly difficult to travel without sleeping on the meadows. This is a high court order, and the prohibition may be removed in the future; you should check the latest online.

Ali Bugyal Meadows, Uttarakhand, India

What is the mystery of Roopkund Lake?

H K Madhwal, an Indian forest inspector, discovered hundreds of human remains stored in and around Roopkund lake in 1942, also called the Roopkund trek skeletons. He recounted the strange discovery - a hidden lake where 300 to 800 individuals died tragically – and the frozen Himalayas continued to preserve the human bones. You can find a reference to a story published on BBC Travel here.

I managed to complete the Roopkund trek which was organized by Indiahikes back in 2014 and is one of the best Himalayan trekking trails in India. You definitely need some practice before going to this trail as it's not that easy when compared to the Tarsar trek or Kashmir Great Lakes.

Roopkund Trek YouTube Playlist

Before you go on a hike make sure to check this out - some of the Absolute mandatory Hiking Accessories to carry. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Pathar Nachauni to Ghairoli Patal - Breathtaking hiking trail | Roopkund Trek - Day 7

Day 7 of your trek is more of a gradual climb from Pathar Nachauni for about 1 to 2 hours followed by descending all the way to Bedni Bugyal. This is the same trail that we had taken to go from Roopkund to Bedni Bugyal. After having lunch we continued our trek through the dense forest to Ghairoli Patal where we camped at night. This forest area is beautiful and you can explore the place in the evening, some even go on bird watching.

Roopkund trek – past 6 days of hike

If you have not gone thru’ my previous six days of trekking at Roopkund, then check out these links:

Day 1 – Jeep Ride

Day 2 – Lohajung to Didina village

Day 3 – Didina to Bedni Bugyal (same as Bedni Bugyal trek till day 3)

Day 4 – Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni

Day 5 – Pathar Nachauni to Bhagwabhasa via Kalu Vinayak temple

Day 6 – Bhagwabhasa to Roopkund and back to Pathar Nachauni

Pathar Nachauni camp

It was really cold at Pathar Nachauni and was raining at our campsite the previous night, but we managed to get some good sleep as day 6 was the summit day. Day 7 was a bright sunny day and we packed our backpacks to start trekking back to Ghairoli Patal. This is more like a goodbye to Roopkund trek as we had to take the same trail back to Bedni Bugyal.

As we continued to trek, many trekkers spent more time capturing photos. This day doesn't take too much of your time. You can even go to the last point till Wan if you want to but we took our own time and stayed overnight at Ghairoli Patal forest. The start of your trek on day 7 is a gradual climb till you reach the point as shown in the above image. The mountain that you see far behind is Mt. Trishul.

View from the highest point in today's trail

It's a place to get some amazing panoramic shots as you will be able to see both sides of the slopes and you will be crossing from one side of the mountain to another. To the left is the Pathar Nachauni campsite and to the right is the Bedni Bugyal meadows. The landscape and the cloud movement is so beautiful that their shadow forms different kind of unique patterns on the mountain slopes.

Lovely campsite of Bedni Bugyal

We continued our trek downwards till we reached Bedni Bugyal. People opted to go to Maggie point, a small shop where we get some hot noodles, bun, bread, and chocolates for double the actual price, and this is where we had our lunch. Spent some time around in the meadows after which we continued further from the meadows to the forest area. There is some 15 minutes walk that you need to do before you take a right to the forest. You can easily make where exactly to enter the forest as there is a Buddhist prayer flag. This place is the last place where you can get some wide-angle shots of mountains without too many trees around.

Ghairoli Patal camp

As you enter the forest you will find oak and rhododendron trees with some beautiful flowers in this area. There is a proper man-made trail here all the way to Ghairoli Patal. Continue downwards, till you reach the green permanent metal tents used for storage. This is where we camped. There is another shop where we get cold drinks, again for double the price. We had reached much earlier in the afternoon.

After having something to eat we had enough time to explore the forest area. The trees in the region are massive. We enjoyed the evening by spending time singing, playing, and dancing around the campfire. You can try some great nighttime shots like galaxy shots, and star trails; as the huge trees can act as foreground and night sky in the background.

Day 7 was great fun and we crossed dry land, then the meadows followed by a forest area. Beautiful landscape, amazing place. Follow me on social media to know more about Day  8 trek and other trekking, photography, and travel posts. On day 8, we continued our hike from Ghairoli Patal to Wan, which is a complete forest trail.

 If you find this blog post interesting then you can buy me a coffee to support my work. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for more and you may join my Friendzone.

Breathtaking hike from high altitude meadow Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni - Roopkund Trek - Day 4

The Roopkund trek from Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni is on day four. The day begins with a lovely walk across the meadows, followed by a difficult ascent for almost an hour from the Bedni Campsite to the route. The slow twenty-degree ascent continues after that until you reach a position where you can see the opposite side of the hill. It's a gentle twenty-degree descent from here until you reach the Pathar Nachauni campsite. Overall, if you stop for the day at Pathar Nachauni, it's a simple day.

On the previous days

If you have not gone thru’ my previous 3 days of Roopkund trek or the Bedni bugyal trek, then check out these links:

? Day 1 – Jeep Ride to Lohajung

??‍♂️Day 2 – Lohajung to Didina village

??‍♂️Day 3 – Didina to Bedni Bugyal

A lovely campsite

Early mornings provide stunning views of the snow-covered golden peaks that surround the campground. This will persist for a few minutes right before and shortly after sunrise, referred to as the 'golden hours' in photographic jargon. Enjoy an early morning walk around the campground.

You have less hiking to do on this day, but I would recommend leaving the campground on time and arriving at Pathar Nachauni early so that you have some time to relax before climbing the difficult Kallu Vinayak trail the next day or the same day, depending on you or your guide.

Crossing the historic Bedni Kund

Once you are done with your breakfast at Bedni Bugyal, get ready with your backpack for a vertical climb for about an hour till you reach the man-made trail that goes all the way to Roopkund. As you start your climb near the Bedni Bugyal campsite there is a pond with a huge man-made compound wall made of stones and a temple in the middle of the pond - Bedni Kund.

A few ruins of the temple can also be seen outdoors. Before climbing, locals pray here for a nice day, good weather, and a safe return from Roopkund. After that, proceed around the Bedni Kund. If there is water in the pond, don't forget to photograph the mountains and snow-covered peaks reflected in it. After that, begin the difficult ascent, which will take around 45 minutes. This may leave you gasping for air until you reach the Roopkund route. Take a 5-minute rest once you've reached the path. Until you reach the next campground, there will be no water available.

Historic temple remains at Bedni kund

The gradual hike uphill to Pathar Nachauni

Once you've arrived to the route, simply follow it for a kilometre or two, which is a gentle twenty-degree ascent with bends and snow patches. Continue on the route until you reach the summit or the opposite side of the mountain, where you can see the trail that descends. It's time for some photography after a brief rest.

Don't forget to take a glance back at Bedni Bugyal campground, which stands out like an ant in the vast green fields. Furthermore, the terrain is so broad that you can watch the cloud shadows and how they move. If you're lucky, you could even see vultures in this location. When it's flying, it's difficult to tell if it's a vulture or an eagle. You can get a 360-degree panoramic view of mountains from this point.

After a brief rest, continue trekking down the route; for a while, it's a level walk before a gentle slope. There is a well-maintained man-made track along which you may stroll without trouble. After another hour, you'll arrive to Pathar Nachauni campground. There are enormous green bunkers where you can find flat area to camp or a little of flat land with a water supply about 100 metres below where you may camp for the day.

Hike to Kallu Vinayak

If you arrive early, you may choose to continue hiking to Bhagwabhasa, which is another 5 hours of trekking and involves a tough 3 to 4 hour climb via Kallu Vinayak, as we did. I would advise you to return to Pathar Nachauni campground for a rest or to acclimate to the altitude.

We made it to Bhagwabhasa on the same day, but we were exhausted. Some even had a minor fever the next morning and were unable to complete the trek to Roopkund. As a result, it is preferable to return to Pathar Nachauni campground. Meanwhile, on the one hand, you may explore and appreciate the scenery from this location.

Pathar Nachauni campsite

Pathar Nachauni campground is a little out in the middle of nowhere, with just peaks on three sides and a vast valley on the other. The weather here may change dramatically in a matter of minutes, and it will be exceedingly chilly at night. A lovely waterfall caused by the melting of snow is located either across from the campground or right below the Kallu Vinayak. I'm not sure how tall it was, but it was rather tall, and few people noticed.

When you cross Kallu Vinayak, the location is really silent and lonely at times, and you wonder what's on the other side of the mountain. A few people/trekkers may be seen approaching Kallu Vinayak, but then they vanish, leaving a mystery. Sometimes you just wonder where they went.

https://youtu.be/L-oaWB9q72o

The next day we hiked from Pathar Nachauni to Bhagwabhasa via Kalu Vinayak temple. If you find this blog post interesting then you can buy me a coffee to support my work. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for more and you may join my friendzone.

Bedni Bugyal trek via the Magnificent Didina village and Ali Bugyal | Roopkund Trek - Day 3

The Bedni Bugyal trek takes up the first three days of the Roopkund trek, which is currently prohibited due to camping restrictions in the bugyal or meadows. The Bedni Bugyal is among the greatest because they take you to Asia's largest high-altitude meadow, which offers breathtaking panoramas of the Himalayas, stunning scenery, and wonderful campsites.

View of the hilltop meadows from Ali Bugyal

Morning at Didina Village

The third day of the Roopkund trek begins in the Didina village ? guesthouse. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay at a homestay in Didina for the night. Didina is a tiny community with no power and residents who rely on solar lighting. For farming, agriculture, and daily usage, little streams in and around Didina hamlet suffice. This is the last hamlet before you run out of options for human habitation. The walk continues through the hamlet to the opposite end, where you must cross a bridge. There is a creek below and vivid yellow blooms all around. Take a 5-minute pause to take some pictures of the stream.

Previously - Hike to Didina village

If you haven't seen my prior two days of Roopkund hiking, click on the following links:

? Day 1 - Jeep Ride to Lohajung

??‍♂️ Day 2 - Lohajung to Didina village

How to reach Bedni Bugyal

There are two ways to reach Bedni Bugyal. One is as mentioned in the above articles, Lohajung to Bedni Bugyal via Didina village and the other is from Lohajung to Wan by jeep and then trek to Bedni Bugyal via Ghaeroli Patal.

Bedni Bugyal trek - Hiking uphill through the dense forest

The next stop is at Ali Bugyal meadows, where you may locate a V-shaped section of Ali Bugyal meadows from Didina village. After crossing the creek over the bridge, the hard ascent through the Oak and Rhododendron forest ?continues for another 3 hours. The weather in the area might change quickly, so it's always a good idea to have a rain cover on hand. Remember to turn off all electrical devices in this region since lightning and thunder are prevalent. The forest is dense, and there's a good risk you'll miss the route because it's completely covered in dried brown leaves.

Largest high altitude meadows

After crossing the woodland, continue walking across meadows to gain height for another 15 minutes until you reach the top. The Ali Bugyal, one of Asia's largest high-altitude meadows, is located here. We ate our packed lunch and had a 30-minute rest. From Didina village, it took us around 4 hours to get here. Take in the beauty of the surroundings. The snow-capped Himalayan range is on one side, while vast mountain slopes are on the other three. This is the ideal spot for some selfies and photos. There will be no cell connection at Ali Bugyal, so don't waste your phone's battery attempting to post those selfie photos.

View from Ali Bugyal

Continue walking through the meadows. This is a spot where you may remove your shoes. Walking on a green carpet with a little yellow, blue, and purple flowers won't cause any discomfort to your legs. As you continue walking, you will come across several wild horses roaming freely and grazing in these high-altitude meadows. This location is quite serene and tranquil, with a lovely panoramic scenery view all around it.

Bedni Bugyal campsite

A government-built green bunker ⛺may be found to the right. You have the option of camping there or continuing on to Bedni Bugyal. A correct trail leads up in a zig-zag pattern from the green bunker, followed by a level track. Continue walking till you get to Bedni Bugyal.

https://youtu.be/aYYdYFLyF-k

Bedni Bugyal is one of the greatest campsites; to get there, you'll have to descend for around ten minutes. On one side, Mount Trishul ?️can be seen, and the route that leads to Roopkund appears more like the terrain from Ladakh, with a dry brown mountain range on one side and a green carpet on the other.

With a nice cup of tea or a bowl of soup, watch the sunset here in the evening. This campground offers adequate space for a game of cricket. There is also a tiny shop where you can obtain cold beverages, maggie, egg, tea, ? and bread for double the price. This was my favorite location, and I explored it by walking around the campsite with my camera.

The next day we hiked from Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachauni. If you find this blog post useful and interesting then you can buy me a coffee to support my work. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for more and you may join my friendzone.

Crossing the Gadsar Pass – The Breathtaking Alpine Twin Lake | Day 4

This is a long day with many kilometers to go and mountains to climb. But the nicest part is that we can't tell it's difficult because of nature's beauty. The ascent to Gadsar pass, the highest point of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, is worthwhile. It's all downhill from here until you reach a few little settlements. Along the journey, you will observe snow-capped mountains and Gadsar Lake.

Vishnusar Lake campsite

Start early from the Vishnusar lake campsite and spend a few minutes next to Vishnusar lake. Capture some of the best views from all possible angles as the water will be still in the morning, with no wind. Perfect to get the best shot of the reflection of mountains that are on the other side of Vishnusar lake.

Vishnusar Lake, Kashmir Great Lakes, India

How to reach Vishnusar Lake and Gadsar

Check out my previous posts for the first 3 days of trekking:

Day 1 - Journey from Srinagar to Sonamarg

Day 2 - Trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai

Day 3 - Trek from Nichnai to Vishnusar Lake

The magnificant Kishnsar Lake

Continue your journey by rising for another hour. Deep down to the left is a stream that flows from Kishnsar/Krishnasar lake at around 12,000 feet all the way down to Vishnusar lake at 11,000 feet. Krishnasar Lake is a great site to fill up your water bottles and prepare for the next hard climb. Kishansar lake has a little island that becomes more visible as you approach the Gadsar mountain. The two lakes look to be twin lakes from the summit or from Gadsar pass.

The toughest portion of the entire trail

The level area in front of Kishnsar Lake is good for walking through the meadows, followed by a difficult ascent. It's a seventy-degree incline, and you can't afford to make mistakes. Two bad steps and you'll be all the way down, and there aren't even any trees here. If it rains, this is a dangerous spot to climb; instead, camp near Kishnsar Lake and wait for the rain to cease.

Splendid view of the alpine twin lake

As you progress, don't forget to stop and turn around every now and then. The scenery is really breathtaking. The hue of the water at Kishnsar Lake indicates how deep it is. It's dark blue in some spots and greenish-blue along the island and the margins. As you climb, you can see the Gadsar peak in front of you, which appears to be a massive monolithic rock. Even though you cannot climb the mountain, you may get extremely near by using the Garsar Pass at 13,750 feet.

Twin lake view from Gadsar pass of Kishansar and Vishnusar lake, Kashmir, India

Garsar Pass - Crossing the highest point

As you get closer to Gadsar Pass, look back to observe the two lakes you passed over earlier. Even though there is a 1,000-foot height difference, it looks to be a twin lake and is the most stunning vista. Don't forget to take a panoramic or wide-angle photo from here. Spend some time taking photos at the Gadsar pass.

What's on the other side of Gadsar Pass

The view from the opposite side of the pass is just as lovely. To the left are snow-covered rocky mountains, while to the right are arid brown mountains. There are meadows, a stream, and a gorgeous valley in between. There will be no more climbing for the rest of the day, and it will be a gentle drop. If you're lucky, you could come upon some brightly coloured flowers in the meadows below.

View from Gadsar Pass, #Kashmir Great Lakes Himalayan Trek #India #Travel #Hiking #Photographyhttp://t.co/1vHNS0c7b1 pic.twitter.com/BnLNZ2BKT2

— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) November 21, 2014

A plethora of streams to the left, generated by the melting snow from the snow-covered steep slopes. Continue trekking across the meadows for around 30 minutes before descending near vertically for about 10 minutes. This is where you may stop for lunch near to the stream, and it's also time to refill your water bottles.

The gorgeous Gadsar Lake

Gadsar Lake, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Continue your journey for another 30 minutes and you will come across another gorgeous lake, the Gadsar Lake. This lovely lake is surrounded by rugged mountains and little waterfalls. Locals advise against drinking water from Gadsar. So, just take in the scenery, take some photos, and continue your journey. This would have been a great location for camping, but you are not permitted to do so.

Continue walking down the valley. The path you take from Gadsar to the next campground will run parallel to the stream. As you go, you will come across a few native homes. They were quite helpful, and after your document check, head to your campground, where you will have to cross the stream.

Gadsar Campsite, Kashmir, India

We had a difficult day because we were not permitted to stay adjacent to Gadsar Lake and had to trek four to five kilometres to the next campground. This campground is within around fifteen kilometres from the front lines/war zone. It was too much to climb and walk, but it was also the most enjoyable. Trekking across the Kashmir Great Lakes is something you should do at least once in your life. On day 5, we continue our trek from Gadsar to Satsar, another gorgeous campsite. Meanwhile, watch the YouTube video to get a sense of the hike on Day 4 to Gadsar.

Related and useful articles:

• Absolute mandatory Hiking Accessories to carry
• 5 Most Important Cold Weather Photography Essentials

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siG8yFBE4EA

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Trek to Nichnai with breathtaking views of Sonamarg – Day 2

This is day 2 of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, and the true hiking begins from Sonamarg all the way to Nichnai. The trail is also known by the name Alpine Lakes trek or KGL trek. This day will take you through several high-altitude forests of Maple, Pine, and Silver Birch with the beautiful view of Sonamarg and the hanging glaciers. On Day 1 it was more of traveling by Sumo/Jeep journey from Srinagar airport to Sonamarg, on National Highway One, Srinagar-Leh Highway. Once you are at Sonamarg, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sonamarg Valley, a place known for its beautiful landscapes.

Sonamarg, Kashmir, India

KGL Trek starts from Sonamarg

The real hike begins somewhere near Sonamarg. There is an iron bridge just before reaching Sonamarg. Before crossing the bridge, turn left and walk for about 10 minutes till you reach the meadow. It's a really serene and pleasant spot, and it's a great site to camp along the Sindh River. As of this writing, this is the final spot to charge your electrical devices or buy anything because you will have no choice for the following one week on the trekking trail till you reach Naranag.

Beautiful view of Sonamarg Valley

Begin walking after breakfast, and expect a difficult ascent for roughly an hour. Don't forget to turn around and take in the most spectacular early morning beauty in Sonamarg Valley. A snapshot taken here at this time will resemble a postcard or something you may display in your showcase. Continue trekking up through the meadows until you reach a wonderful deep forest of maple and pine.

Gujjar Hut on KGL Trek trail.

Crossing the forests and Shekdur meadows

Along the trip, you'll come across a number of one-of-a-kind shepherds' huts. The view from here is breathtaking. If you have a few days to spare, you might want to consider staying with the local Gujjars in their hut; trust me, it's really warm inside and the hut is well insulated, while it's freezing outside at night. The Sonamarg valley is on one side, while the three hanging glaciers are on top of the mountain area on the other. After roughly an hour of climbing upwards, rest around Shekdur. From the Sonamarg campground, it takes roughly 2 to 3 hours to get here.

Day 2 of my Himalayan trek to Kashmir Great Lakes, Indiahttp://t.co/1vHNRZljMP pic.twitter.com/gNx6ajABU4

— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) October 12, 2014

Nichnai Campsite

A walk across the Shekdur meadows, followed by a steady ascent through the Silver Birchwoods. Simply continue the track until you reach the end of the Birch forest, where the Nichnai River Valley begins. Trek upstream along the river's bank for the next two hours, or until you locate flat land to pitch your tent.

Nichnai campsite, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Hidden lake at Nichnai Camp

Check with your trip guide whether there is a secret lake here. They might not suggest it because it's a one-hour hike to the left of the campground. Only a little waterfall is visible from this campground, but it is fed by the lake above, which is not visible from your location.

The ascent is a little perilous. There is no path up and the area is littered with rocks caused by small landslides. You might try it if you have enough time in the evening because it may take up to 2 hours and is not simple to climb. This lake is rarely seen yet is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. If you're travelling alone, you may do this.

The Nichnai campsite is located at an elevation of 11,500 feet and is an excellent location for experimenting with low light photography and long exposure shots. The sky may clear quickly after the rain, and thunderstorms are possible at night. If you have a tripod and a remote trigger, you may attempt some star trail photos here. Check out this virtual video of my second-day trip to the Kashmir Great Lakes below.

https://youtu.be/Lp2R1QncJ_4

Checkout: Day 3 of Kashmir Great Lakes Trekking in the Himalayas.

Related and useful articles:

• Absolute mandatory Hiking Accessories to carry
• 5 Most Important Cold Weather Photography Essentials

There are many trekking groups like Indiahikes, Trek the Himalayas, Youth Hostels (which is for Indian nationals and is cheaper) who can organize the trek or you can go on your own with locals. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.